On February 20, 2025, Pakistan and the EU held their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels, focusing on enhancing security cooperation. Both parties condemned terrorism and discussed regional security challenges, particularly those linked to Afghanistan and the Middle East. The EU emphasized the importance of collaborating with international partners to address terrorism effectively.
On February 20, 2025, Pakistan and the European Union convened their ninth counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels, focusing on enhancing cooperation in security matters under the framework of the 2019 Strategic Engagement Plan. Delegations were led by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy of the European External Action Service, and Abdul Hameed, Director General for Counter-Terrorism at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both parties expressed unequivocal condemnation of terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to combat it effectively. The discussions encompassed a range of regional and global security challenges, particularly the implications stemming from the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Strong collaboration with international entities in multilateral platforms was deemed essential.
Efforts to exchange best practices and establish concrete collaborations were also on the agenda, emphasizing initiatives to prevent and counter violent extremism, regulate foreign fighter movements, combat online and offline radicalization, and address terrorism financing. These dialogues are pivotal as they strive to enhance the collective response to emerging threats from terrorism.
Furthermore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Ambassador Olof Skoog, had previously conducted a week-long visit to Pakistan in January. During this visit, he underscored the importance of addressing various human rights issues which are crucial to retaining GSP+ status amid its ongoing review.
Ambassador Skoog engaged with numerous stakeholders including government officials, military leaders, human rights defenders, and the civil society, reinforcing the European Union’s commitment to assist Pakistan in fulfilling its human rights obligations.
The recent counter-terrorism dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union marks a significant step in reinforcing collaborative security efforts against terrorism. Both sides have shown a strong resolve to work together on a range of critical issues, including countering violent extremism and addressing the challenges posed by foreign fighters. The integration of humanitarian concerns within this strategic engagement indicates a comprehensive approach to enhancing regional stability and human rights. Additionally, the ongoing dialogue regarding GSP+ status reveals a multifaceted engagement that intertwines trade, human rights, and security, underscoring the EU’s investment in Pakistan’s progress.
Original Source: www.geo.tv
